Urban Fantasy discussion
UF BOOK CHAT
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How do you find new books / authors to read?
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I guess I'll start...Most recent purchases and why:
1. Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward
I held off on ordering this one because I really didn't like the previous book in the series with whiny Phury. Positive reviews on GR, Amazon, and other blogs have spurred me in to buying my copy today.
2. Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris
Ms. Harris is an auto-buy author for me. :)
3. To Beguile A Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt
Another auto-buy author... she writes some of my favorite historical romances.
4. Daring Time by Beth Kery
Shannon of GR and here gave it a 5-star review.
5. Broken by Megan Hart
I have heard SO much about this author that I finally decided to pick one up. Can't wait to check her out.
And, finally, I read a handful of book review blogs daily as well as checking out my friends on GR's reviews to find new books. Here are some of my fave book review blogs:
Racy Romance Reviews
Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
OCD, vampires, and rants, oh my!
All About Romance
Rip My Bodice
The Good, The Bad, and The Unread
And I also check out my favorite author's websites/blogs about once a month.
Last 7 books I bought:1. Dead and Gone this series is an auto buy for me and I LOVED it!
2. Chasing the Bear A Young Spenser Novel long-time fan of the Spenser mystery series, so this was a must buy.
3. Dark Harvest read the first one and liked it enough to buy this one.
4. The Way Home I'm a huge Pelecanos fan, so another auto buy.
5. Stargazer recently read the first in this series and really enjoyed it, so another must buy!
6. Ghost Whisperer Ghost Trap love this show so thought I'd give the books a try.
7. The Deen Family Cookbook I love to cook and Paula Deen's stuff is right up my alley since my roots are in the South.
I get suggestions for a lot of the books I buy from Amazon just by typing in something I'm interested in and then looking at similar recommendations. Visit some favorite author's websites and get ideas from friends. Have been part of a mystery/thriller board for about 12 years and have long gotten recommends from there and have found quite a few books I'm interested in on this board and other paranormal boards here on Goodreads.
My most recent risk was looking at authors on here who's works I enjoy. I thought perhaps we'd have similar reading preferences. I got mixed results. heh Sorry Anton, you're books are fantastic, but I found Godmother on your read list with 5 stars. UGH! I've had really good luck with Amazon's reccomendations.
I find new authors by Amazon recommendations and all the different Yahoo groups I belong to. I also have a pretty long list of favorite series and authors I'm always on the look out for too.Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris - I've been buying the Sookie books since the first one came out.
Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward - love the series
Graceling by Kristin Cashore - So many people loved this book that I had to try it. It was wonderful!
Curse the Dawn by Karen Chance - I love Pritkin and Mircea!
In the Blood by Adrian Phoenix - I really liked the first book so I had to get the second too.
I'm bumping my blog: http://otherwherereviews.blogspot.com but I also like this one http://amberkatze.blogspot.com/
I've found some new authors to try by reading the postings in this group. A Rush of Wings was a great read and I only read it because of all the reviews it was getting. I'll continue to look for new authors based on what other people are saying cause of similar tastes. Funny thing is, most of the books people like- I've got the entire series.
I've found some recently checking out book trailers on Youtube, LOL.
I read the blogs of several authors I like but I also regularly check:SciFiGuy.ca
Literary Escapism
My most recent purchases:
A Fantasy Medley - Discovered that Kelley Armstrong has a story in this and decided to check it out
The Uglies Trilogy Uglies, Pretties, Specials - I've heard a lot of good things about this series, so figured I'd try it out
Strange Angels - Although I have yet to read the two Lilith St. Crow books I already own, this new YA book looked really appealing
Fantasy Lover - Skipped right over this when I read the DH series, so I'm going back to where it all began
Doomsday Can Wait - Read and enjoyed the first one so I'm looking forward to reading this one.
City of Bones - Bought this series, again on recommendation and review. Reading this one now.
DarkHeart hoped you liked Strange Angels because I could not finish no matter how hard I tried.
I check Amazon's list of New Releases every week. I already have pre-orders in for books to be released up to November.I have ordered way too many books based on recommendations from good reads since I joined the site. I am never going to catch up.
If I become interested in an author I never read before I call a used bookstore in Minneapolis that I have patronized for about 35 years and they mail out whatever they have. I used to go in every Saturday morning and browse, but had to stop because of medical problems which led to my retirement about 5 yrs. ago. They keep computer records of requests and I call in every week or so to see if they have put anything aside for me.
Jael wrote: "DarkHeart hoped you liked Strange Angels because I could not finish no matter how hard I tried."Oh no, really? My Amazon box hasn't arrived yet, but I should have my copy early in the week. It doesn't fit into any of my May challenges though, so I'm not sure if I'll read it immediately, but you've got me curious!
Lynda, that is really neat about the bookstore doing that for you. I mostly shop online, but have started to frequent the local bookstores more frequently. Perhaps some day I will have a relationship with the members that work at the small one I've recently started going to... new_user, I've never watched book trailers. I might have to check those out. Do you put in a search type... like urban fantasy, thrillers, etc?
Well, unfortunately, there's no direct way to do it on Youtube that I know of. You can look up "book trailer" and get some hits. What I do is look up a video from a genre I like. Usually, at the end of the video or in the "related videos" list, I'll find similar trailers. If you notice that a certain studio puts out a lot of videos that interest you, you can look at their page too. For example, if I watch a video for Anya Bast's Witchfire, I see links to a Kenyon video, a Feehan video, some Cassandra Clare, etc.
You can also check out the videos list on GR by tag (e.g. "suspense," "paranormal," etc.) I've just discovered too. Simpler. LOL. Check it out.
Honestly I get almost of my book suggestions from here on the different challenges. Sometimes I will buy books from amazon.com suggestions or the lovevampires.com reviews. Those books I typically buy from on line. Now when I go into a bookstore all bets are off if it has the right cover and a decent title I will browse through it normally I will take a chance on a paperback but if it is hardcover I have to take a look ...to much commitment LOL.Most recent purchases:
Visions of Heatby Nalini Singh
Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells
Nightwalker by Jocelynn Drake
Howling at the Moon by Karen MacInerney
Tempting Dangerby Eileen Wilks
Black Magic Womanby Justin Gustainis
The Devil Insideby Jenna Black
I've been depending more and more on goodreads suggestions! I also look at what authors are reading. Charlaine Harris and Jeaniene Frost are two authors who blog about books they're currently enjoying. Also, I've trolled the internet for library lists. Many libraries have "if you like x, you might like y" lists. They can be a great launching point.
I also have a bad habit of wandering through the bookstore or library picking up anything that looks decent.
Amazon recommendations are very hit or miss for me.
Dead and Gone, Harris (auto-buy, came across series by chance on wattpad)
Dreams Underfoot, de Lindt (goodreads suggestion)
The Spy Who Haunted Me, Green (auto-buy, discovered Green while browsing the library)
In the Blood, Phoenix (auto-buy, first was goodreads suggestion)
The Graveyard Book, Gaiman (I like Pratchett, with whom Gaiman wrote Good Omens)
Literary awards lists can be helpful.
I must admit, Goodreads is proving invaluable for recommendations. On here, you know who truly shares your interests and so the suggestions mean more!
i tend to trawl around the GR site too::i also check friends reading lists and authors lists::sometimes i get a real trail of books::so now i note*anything* i maybe interested in on my TBR shelf::i check other sites::lovevampires::smexy::and any links on from them::
I usually rely on friends or reviews I read. The latest review that piqued my interest was Blood and Ice by Robert Masello. A different twist on the vampire theme of which I posted a comment on my Goodreads site.
Sometimes I find books from Amazon's recommendations - mostly new books comming out by authors I've already read. I also look at what other people are reading on GoodReads. And I look through new books at the bookstore or library. The last 6 books I purchased were all books by authors whose books I've read and enjoyed.
Monster by A. Lee Martinez
Demon Mistress by Galenorn
Street Magic by Caitlin Kittredge
Magic in the Blood by Devon Monk
A Flash of Hex
MythOS by Kelly McCullough
Ever since I joined Goodreads and found all of the groups I have found so many new books and authors.Basically via groups and its members is the way I get new stuff to read :D
There are some authors that just their name motivates me: Harris (like almost everyone here, haha), Dan Brown, Neil Gaiman, Anne Bishop...I usually find my book recommendations through Amazon, but not by their suggestions (which ALWAYS suggests the worst things). I'll start with one of my favorite books, and go to the bottom where all the stats are displayed. Things like, the % of people who purchased something else, and especially the lists and guides written by other reviewers.
I have to say, my favorite books are usually the chance buys from browsing bookstores and judging on covers, much like Dawn's paperback ok, hardcover... maybe philosophy, haha!
@Dawn, I JUST finished Black Magic Woman, and it was great!
@Zhye, I loved Touch the Dark and Cassie Palmer.
My recent books:
01. The Reader by Bernhard Schlink (movie looked good)
02. The Convenient Groom A Nantucket Love Story by Denise Hunter (found while browsing RITA Award winners)
03. Sebastian by Anne Bishop (LOVE this author)
04. One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost (read the first book)
05. Stranger in My Arms by Lisa Kleypas (huge fan of this author as well)
06. Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison (Amazon list recommendations)
S.D. wrote: "I usually rely on friends or reviews I read. The latest review that piqued my interest was Blood and Ice by Robert Masello. A different twist on the vampire theme of which I posted a comment on m..."I find books exactly the same way - friends and reviews on Goodreads and Amazon.
The groups I belong to in Goodreads is a great source. I've discovered a mulitude of authors of which I hadn't previously known. The other source is from friends. Dead Beat by Jim Butcher - a friend recommended it.
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale - Goodreads find
Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz - Goodfriends find
The Book of A Thousand Days by Tamora Pierce - I don't remember how I heard of Tamora probably Amazon.
Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynne Jones - I don't remember how I heard of Diana probably Amazon.
Jess wrote: "http://www.whatshouldireadnext.com/"I love that site! I bookmarked it. Thanks for sharing it!
I used to just read stuff that I was told about from a few other people, so pretty much just word of mouth. Then I found goodreads somehow and it's changed how I go about reading. I've found a lot of things I really love on this site - it's easy to find genres that you'll like, new authors, just anything really.
The last 7 books I bought and why:1)Fer de Lance and The League of Frightened Men by Rex Stout in one volume (mystery)
Fer de Lance is a selection for the F2F mystery group I'm in and I couldn't find it separately. I also thought that The League of Frightened Men looked good. In fact, it looked like a better story than Fer de Lance.
2)Warriors ed. George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois (cross-genre anthology)
There's a new Lord John story by Diana Gabaldon and an ancient Rome story by Steven Saylor, but I'm also interested in the stories by Carrie Vaughn and Peter Beagle. I originally saw this on Amazon and noticed it right away at the store where I bought the Nero Wolfe novels.
3)Shadows in the Cave by Caleb Fox (prehistoric Native American fantasy)
This is the sequel to Zadayi Red which I also bought as soon as I learned it existed from an e-mail from a local science fiction and fantasy store. The author is Native American. His books are very rich in Native American culture and spirituality.
4)Unspoken Truth by Margaret Wander Bonanno (Star Trek novel)
I first saw this on Amazon. Margaret Wander Bonanno is one of my favorite Star Trek writers and this one's about Saavik, one of my favorite characters in the Star Trek universe.
The first four books were all purchased today at the same store.
E-Harlequin e-mails me with sales periodically. In a recent sale, I ordered seven books from them. Here are three of them:
5)Reunion by Lindsay McKenna (PNR)
Lindsay McKenna is an auto-buy for me. She has strong women characters often with connections to native cultures and/or unusual gifts.In this one, she is an archaeologist and he shape-changes into a jaguar. It's one of the latest Nocturnes, the Silhouette PNR line.
6)Dream Stalker by Jenna Kernan (PNR)
This is an 2009 Nocturne that was sold out when I got to the store in the month it was relased, as sometimes happens. She is a Native American woman who is being troubled by nightmares. He is a shapeshifter and healer.
7)Deep Down by Karen Harper (Appalachian mystery)
This deals with wildcrafters (people who gather plants from the wild) in Kentucky. There is also a Cherokee herbalist character. I'm interested in wildcrafters and Cherokees. I saw this on Goodreads a while ago, so when I needed books to fill out an e-Harlequin order, I went to the Karen Harper page and located this one.
I use a variety of sources to find out about books. Most of the books I read are from either the library or Paperback Swap though. Paperback Swap has introduced me to many authors and series.
Lisa MH wrote: I love that site! I bookmarked it. Thanks for sharing it!"Happy to help. :)
I just got back into my reading about 2 years ago and started looking at the amazon database-that's how I found the likes of Charlaine Harris,Laurell K Hamilton and Kim Harrison. I wrote down lists of books to go and look for in libraries and bookshops and some I'm only just finding! (I can't buy from online because I don't have a credit card so I am way behind on the good UF/PNR!) Then I started finding out about new ones on bookcrossing and coming here to goodreads has added about 50 new authors!!!
I didn't see this site mentioned above, so I thought I'd throw it in here. It's strictly reviewing books with vamps in them, but so many UF/PNR books have vamps, it's worth mentioning. I found a bunch of books I'd never heard of in there. Heh, most I'll never read (no time), but it's good to know where to look. :)http://www.lovevampires.com/index.htm
The site seems to be geared to a Young Adult audience -- complete with a manga-ish goth girl on the header -- but they had every author/book I could think of, plus a lot more. Each book's page shows the back cover summary, a rating, and an indepth review (well, all the ones I've seen were).
Bitten by Books is a review site that I sometimes go to, or sometimes I'll go to Amazon Listopia, or GoodReads has some good ideas too.
On Facebook I found an App. Supernatural UndergroundBooks that go Bump in the Night. Authors write Dark Fantasy/ Dark Urban/ Shapeshifting, Vampire, Romance
some of the Authors I had not heard. A few are Publishing their First books ...Avon? If Interested check it out.
Marilynn, I heard about that as well, I will have to check it out.
Marilynn wrote: "On Facebook I found an App. Supernatural UndergroundBooks that go Bump in the Night. Authors write Dark Fantasy/ Dark Urban/ Shapeshifting, Vampire, Romance
some of the Authors I had not heard...."
My Facebook account is so cluttered with spam and stuff, I haven't been there in ages. Maybe I'll make a new account to check that out. :P
Urban Fantasy
Books mentioned in this topic
The Reader (other topics)Stranger in My Arms (other topics)
The Convenient Groom (other topics)
Dead Witch Walking (other topics)
Sebastian (other topics)
More...
How do you find out about new books / authors to try out? Do you read author blogs? Book review blogs? Book review magazines? GoodReads friends and/or reviews? Bookstore clerk recommendations? Amazon.com's suggestions based on the books you've previously purchased and rated?
If you use author and/or reviewer blogs and feel comfortable listing them here, please share! We might find the perfect new blog to follow and get more ideas on expanding the already sagging to-read bookshelf.
The second part of this topic is a slight variation on the Latest Purchases/Library Finds topic. List the last 5-7 books (any genre) that you've purchased and why you bought them (blog reviews, GoodReads friends, buy everything by that author, cover was pretty!, etc.).
Again, if you have a recommendation for what to call this topic, I'm all ears.